Testicular neoplasia in the retained testicles of an intersex male dog

This case describes the presentation and management of an 8 yr old phenotypically female intersex male dog presented for evaluation of a mass in the right inguinal region. The right inguinal space was surgically explored, and a large irregular mass resembling a fully developed testicle was identified in the right vaginal tunic. A second mass resembling an atrophied, but anatomically mature testicle, was identified in the left tunic. The larger mass was identified as a Sertoli cell tumor that had replaced all normal testicular tissue. The smaller mass was identified as a testicle that contained a small intratubular seminoma. The patient was diagnosed as having a phenotypic female sex, chromosomal male sex, and a gonadal male sex. Hormone assays completed before and after the gonadectomy and mass removal document an elevation of circulating progesterone presurgically that returned to baseline by 1 mo postsurgically. The source of the progesterone was identified to be the Leydig cells of the atrophied testicle.     

Effect of human disturbance on the structure and regeneration of forests in the Nevado de Toluca National Park, Mexico

Sample plots were established in the principal forest types in the the Nevado de Toluca National Park, Mexico including those dominated by Pinus hartwegii, Abies religiosa, Quercus laurina and Alnus jorullensis. The vertical structure was defined by three strata in the coniferous forests and two strata in the broadleaved forests. Timber harvesting in Abies religiosa and Quercus laurina forests and fires generated by humans in Pinus hartwegii forests impeded the recruitment of saplings. Mature trees were also heavily impacted by logging in Pinus hartwegii forests. On the contrary, Alnus jorullensis forests were increasing due to the disturbance of Pinus and Quercus forests, as well abandoned crop lands within the park. A combination of logging, uncontrolled fire, and grazing appears to be compromising the recruitment of important tree species in this national park. These factors, together with human settlements, have also increased the proportion of early successional species. Changes in forest structure from human disturbance indicate a need to control these activities if conservation goals are not to be compromised.     

Pasteurella multocida contains multiple immunogenic haemin- and haemoglobin-binding proteins

Iron-dependent outer membrane proteins (IROMPs) play an important role in bacterial pathogenesis and present several attributes of potential vaccine candidates. TBLASTN analysis of the Pasteurella multocida Pm70 genome using the same molecules of other bacterial pathogens as a query identified eight putative haemin and haemoglobin receptors for this organism. Quantitative binding assays have demonstrated that the proteins PM0040, PM0236, PM0741, PM1081, PM1428, PM0592 and HgbA bind both haemin and haemoglobin, whereas PM0576 and PM1282 ORFs only bind either haemoglobin or haemin, respectively. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that P. multocida-infected mice generate specific antibodies against PM0040, PM0236, PM0741, PM1081, PM1428, PM0592 and HgbA proteins. Nevertheless, inoculation of mice with any single one of these receptors alone did not protect against P. multocida infection.     

Deletion of the GI-2 integrase and the wbkA flanking transposase improves the stability of Brucella melitensis Rev 1 vaccine

Brucella melitensis Rev 1 is the best vaccine available for the prophylaxis of small ruminant brucellosis and, indirectly, for reducing human brucellosis. However, Rev 1 shows anomalously high rates of spontaneous dissociation from smooth (S) to rough (R) bacteria, the latter being inefficacious as vaccines. This S-R instability results from the loss of the O-polysaccharide. To overcome this problem, we investigated whether some recently described mechanisms promoting mutations in O-polysaccharide genes were involved in Rev 1 S-R dissociation. We found that a proportion of Rev 1 R mutants result from genome rearrangements affecting the wbo O-polysaccharide loci of genomic island GI-2 and the wbkA O-polysaccharide glycosyltransferase gene of the wbk region. Accordingly, we mutated the GI-2 int gene and the wbk IS transposase involved in those arrangements, and found that these Rev 1 mutants maintained the S phenotype and showed lower dissociation levels. Combining these two mutations resulted in a strain (Rev 2) displaying a 95% decrease in dissociation with respect to parental Rev 1 under conditions promoting dissociation. Rev 2 did not differ from Rev 1 in the characteristics used in Rev 1 typing (growth rate, colonial size, reactivity with O-polysaccharide antibodies, phage, dye and antibiotic susceptibility). Moreover, Rev 2 and Rev 1 showed similar attenuation and afforded similar protection in the mouse model of brucellosis vaccines. We conclude that mutations targeting genes and DNA sequences involved in spontaneous O-polysaccharide loss enhance the stability of a critical vaccine phenotype and complement the empirical stabilization precautions taken during S Brucella vaccine production.     

Coupling hysteresis analysis with sediment and hydrological connectivity in three agricultural catchments in Navarre,Spain

Purpose

Rain storm events mobilise large proportions of fine sediments in catchment systems. Sediments from agricultural catchments are often adsorbed by nutrients, heavy metals and other (in)organic pollutants that may impact downstream environments. To mitigate erosion, sediment transport and associated pollutant transport, it is crucial to know the origin of the sediment that is found in the drainage system, and therefore, it is important to understand catchment sediment dynamics throughout the continuity of runoff events.

Materials and methods

To assess the impact of the state of a catchment on the transport of fine suspended sediment to catchment outlets, an algorithm has been developed which classifies rain storm events into simple (clockwise, counter-clockwise) and compound (figure-of-eight; complex) events. This algorithm is the first tool that uses all available discharge and suspended sediment data and analyses these data automatically. A total of 797 runoff events from three experimental watersheds in Navarre (Spain) were analysed with the help of long-term, high-resolution discharge and sediment data that was collected between 2000 and 2014.

Results and discussion

Morphological complexity and in-stream vegetation structures acted as disconnecting landscape features which caused storage of sediment along the transport cascade. The occurrence of sediment storage along transport paths was therefore responsible for clockwise hysteresis due to the availability of in-stream sediment which could cause the “first flush” affect. Conversely, the catchment with steeper channel gradients and a lower stream density showed much more counter-clockwise hysteresis due to better downstream and lateral surface hydrological connectivity. In this research, hydrological connectivity is defined as the actual and potential transfer paths in a catchment. The classification of event SSC-Q hysteresis provided a seasonal benchmark value to which catchment managers can compare runoff events in order to understand the origin and locations of suspended sediment in the catchment.

Conclusions

A new algorithm uses all available discharge and suspended sediment data to assess catchment sediment dynamics. From these analyses, the catchment connectivity can be assessed which is useful to develop catchment land management.

     

Weed community responses to soil type during transition to no-till practice on smallholder farms in Zimbabwe

Understanding drivers of weed density and diversity is essential for the development of weed management strategies. Here, we compared temporal changes in weed density and diversity under no-till (NT) and conventional (CONV) tillage systems in cotton–maize rotations on loam, clay loam and sandy loam soils immediately after transition to NT in Kadoma, Zimbabwe. The effect of tillage system on weed density varied through the growth season and was dependent upon soil type and species composition of the weed community. Although weed responses to tillage system varied amongst species, we identified general trend effects on weed density on specific soils. At 3 weeks after crop emergence (WACE), weed density on loam soils was 76% and 96% higher in NT than in CONV during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons, respectively, and on clay loam soils it was 37% and 33% higher in NT than CONV, respectively. Weed densities in NT and CONV were similar across all soil types at 6 WACE during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 seasons and at 9 WACE in 2009/2010. Tillage system did not affect weed density during the growth season on sandy loam soils. Weed diversity (Shannon index) was at least 75% higher in NT than CONV on loam and clay loam soils at 3 WACE during both seasons. It is likely these increases in weed densities following conversion to NT will exacerbate already prevalent weed management problems in the smallholder sector. Earlier weeding is recommended to suppress weed emergence and reduce likely associated crop yield losses.     

Twin pregnancy experimental model for transvaginal ultrasound-guided twin reduction in mares

Multiple pregnancies are still an important cause of noninfectious abortion, stillbirth, neonatal mortality, and significant delays in reproductive performance in mares. Despite new management techniques, reduction in multiple pregnancies is an ongoing preoccupation and challenge for the equine veterinarian. The aim of the present study was to establish a twin pregnancy experimental model in the mare to study the effectiveness of a transvaginal ultrasound-guided embryonic vesicle injection. Mares in heat were inseminated and then received an embryo at day 7 of the estrous cycle. At days 14 and 30, 53.5% (n = 23) and 23% (n = 10) of the mares, respectively, were carrying twins. Twin pregnancies were reduced at day 30 by transvaginal ultrasound-guided puncture of the embryonic vesicle (control, n = 5) or by transvaginal ultrasound-guided injection (TVUEVI) of 25 mg of amikacin into the embryonic vesicle (n = 5). The TVUEVI treatment had a 40% success rate and no significant variations in progesterone and prostaglandin metabolite were observed. Even though the technique does not seem very effective, the experimental model could be useful for clinical research in embryo reduction and early embryonic loss.     

ENCHONDROMATOSIS IN AN ADULT DOG

A 7‐year‐old crossbreed dog presented for lameness with diffuse soft tissue swelling in the right fore limb. Radiographs identified increased opacity of medullary cavity involving the radius and ulna. Whole‐body computed tomography (CT) revealed mineral attenuation in the medullary cavity of multiple bones. Histopathology of the right distal tibia showed a fibrocartilaginous matrix occupying intertrabecular spaces. The final diagnosis was enchondromatosis. Long‐term favorable progression of the dog's clinical condition further supported the benign histopathologic classification. This is the fifth case of canine enchondromatosis reported so far and the first documentation of further characterization with CT.     

Safety and efficacy of an inactivated vaccine against Lactococcus garvieae in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

We studied the safety and efficacy of an inactivated vaccine (Ichtiovac-Lg) against Lactococcus garvieae in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). In an initial dose-response experiment to test safety, we injected 50 rainbow trout weighing 30-40 g with a double dose of vaccine (0.2 ml) intraperitoneally. We observed these fish three times a day until day 50 post-vaccination when they were killed to evaluate visceral reactions, adhesions and intraperitoneal absorption. Survival was 100% in both the treatment and control groups and no significant differences were found in percentage of severe adhesions and pigmentation of peritonea and viscera. In a second trial, we injected 50 rainbow trout weighing 30-40 g with 0.1 ml of vaccine and a control group was injected with 0.1 ml of PBS intraperitoneally. On day 29 post-vaccination, both groups were challenged by intraperitoneal injection with 0.1 ml of a virulent heterologous strain of L. garvieae at 3 x 10(6) cfu ml(-1) and fish were observed for a further 21 days. At the end of the experiment, the survivals of the vaccinated fish and control group were 94 and 4%, respectively.     

Life cycle inference and phylogeny of Ortholinea labracis n. sp. (Myxosporea: Ortholineidae), a parasite of the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (Teleostei: Moronidae), in a Portuguese fish farm

Ortholinea labracis n. sp. is described and its life cycle is inferred from a Southern Portuguese fish farm, with basis on microscopic and molecular procedures. This myxosporean parasite infects the urinary bladder of the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax and the intestinal epithelium of a marine oligochaete of the genus Tectidrilus. Myxospores subspherical in valvular view and ellipsoidal in sutural view measuring 7.6 ± 0.3 (6.8–8.7) μm in length, 7.2 ± 0.2 (6.7–7.7) μm in width and 6.5 ± 0.4 (5.8–7.7) μm in thickness. Two polar capsules, 3.0 ± 0.2 (2.6–3.4) μm long and 2.4 ± 0.1 (2.0–2.9) μm wide, located at the same level, but with divergent orientation and opening to opposite sides of the suture line. Sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene revealed a similarity of 100% between the analysed myxospores and triactinomyxon actinospores. The phylogenetic setting of O. labracis n. sp. shows subgrouping in correlation with tissue tropism, but identifies this parasite as another exception to the main division of Myxosporea into the main freshwater and marine lineages.